St. Landry democrat., 1887-11-26

Vice President Tyler became president
of the United States, and not acting
president, and that from the day OF
President Harrison's death President
Tyler's term began. The vice president
has NO, function, either legislative or
judicial or executive, to perform. lie
presides over the senate, and
may not even cast vote eA-
cept when there is a tie. And SO
when the president died no election
was held, and no appointment was
MADE to fill the office. There are
only two modes for filing public offices,
by election and by appointment. But
| the vice president having already Deen
elected to be president in the event OF
the presidents death-subiect to that
conditlon-was sworn in as presdent,
and became president by virtue OF his
election thereto by the people OF the
United States. 1t became Tyler's ad-
ministration, Tyler's cabinet, Iyier's
policy, and many of the most Important
events occurred under President Tyler
The same reason applies to our state.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR M'ENERf
was elected to be governor of Louisiana
III the event of Governor WiltZ's death,
and hence. when Governor Witt died,
uo JoOh tuC odlu VI oLLlCC anu w 90 Al
vested with all the powers, emolnments
and responsibilities of the chief e2ecu-
tive Office. There was no election and
no appointment to I'LL the office, because
it had been tillod by the previous elec-
ton. 1t is plain. therefore. that the
tenure of chief executive office was by
election under our constitution and
laws vested IN Hon. Saml ID. McEnery,
on the death of Governor WllEZ, name
Il I,nr Iva
ioyed a term of three years and half
a term of chief executive power and
his first term. True, it was less than
four years, but it was nevertheless a
constitutional term.
In many states tho constitutions linz
1t the term to one, two and three years.
and il will not do to say it was not a
constitutional term because it was less
than four years, for whether 1t should
be short or long. it
WAS FIXED By THE CONSTITUTION
of our state. Whether shorter or longer,
it was Governor McEnery's term, vest
ed, repeat, in him 10y the constitution
and laws through the lnstrumentallty
of an election. You must admit then
that the effort now being made is not
only to give Governor McEnery eleven
and half Years of the chief executive
power, but that you are about to give
him third term. But it is not names
merely. but the substance of things
that we deal with.
But you must admit that this at
tempt sets at defiance the traditions
and usages of The Democratic party and
the example of every governor of this
state and every president of the United
States.
Now, fellow citizens, are there any pc
onIn M rNniItinps fhaf
will Justify this proceeding If you
are to be controlled by your personal
friendship for Governor McEnery you
can join this movement. II you hold
office under him and support him III Or
der to continue IN office, all right. |
can understand this. But take it that
you ought TO be controlled by what is
BEST FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
its harmony and integrity and its
prosperity and the welfare of our
state. which is bound up in that party.
And if you are governed by these con-
slderations, as old-fashioned Demo
Gratis, you will cling III these days of
confusion and doubt all the more
closely to the example of the fathers
and to the nsages and principles of
our great and benehcent party.
Will thoughtful and patriotic men
trample upon these to crafty q person
al friendship, or to help friend holding
some subordinate office by the favor
of the governor Is there no other
gentleman IN this state with whom our
peace aud interest and liberty would be
safe? Is not Governor Nichols or Mr..
Jetfreys or Mr.. Cunningham or Judge
Moncure just as much devoted to our
state, and just as much in favor of a
white mans government, and just as
good Democrats Zach and every one
of these gentlemen has given evidence
of his faith to the supremacy OF the
WHITE MANS GOVERNMENT.
There can be no doubt on that sub
ject. and If any emergency should arise
they would be as earnest and quick to
exercise all the powers of the Office, to
resist every attempt come from what
quarter it might, to overthrow the
peace of our tresldes, our schools, our
civilization. Every citizen would feel
just as safe under any one of these
gentlemen as under the present Gistin-
guished executive. Our Democratic
and usages and organization
is more important than the political
interests and ambition Of any one citi-
zen.
The great leader in favor of personal
liberty, during the Revolutionary war,
after holding the chief executive power
for five years-Patrick Henry of Viz
from the office of gov
ernor of
THAT RENOWNED COMMONWEALTH
with the love and esteem of
the people. Let us follow the examples
Of Washington aud Patrick Henry and
elect-not Hon. Samuel ID. McEnery for
the long term of h years, but the
hero statesman who stands before you
this day; who added luster to the glory
Of Louisiana soldiers under the lead OF
StoneHall Jackson, and by whose
Efforts. aided by the stout hearts of his
first established Demo-
cratic government and the supremacy
If the white people in our beloved
state after long years of humihating
oppression and shameless wrong.